We have several pizza places that we really like, but I can't believe we've never featured what is truly my favorite - Leaning Tower of Pizza in Ankeny. Located in the "downtown" area of Ankeny at 512 SW 3rd St, Leaning Tower of Pizza has been in the pizza business for over 20 years. They've recently completed a renovation which has resulted in a very welcoming, casual and comfortable atmosphere.

Even though they are known for their pizza, Leaning Tower also provides a full range of menu items including sandwiches, pasta dishes, great appetizers and salads, and some awesome homemade onion rings. Everything is fresh and house-made, even the salad dressings, and they use fresh ingredients and quality cheeses. They also serve beer and wine, which is so important in the pizza world.

Like I said, this is my favorite pizza place, so I rarely order anything else! My favorite one to order is Paul's Pick 3 - you get to pick your 3 favorite toppings from their great selection of available toppings and they create your personalized pizza. I chose ham, beef, and onion - a fabulous combination - and this beauty is what came out of their stone-deck oven!

It's quite possibly the perfect pie - thin, crispy crust, a generous amount of toppings, and it was in that stone-deck oven for the perfect amount of time. Delicious.

Grant decided to try their special pizza of the day - a Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza. It featured hamburger, bacon, pickles, lots of cheese, and a special sauce that really tasted great. Just look at this pizza!

It's hard not to eat the whole pizza, but believe me, if you're a cold pizza for breakfast person like me, you'll want to save some for the next day - it's still awesome. And how can you not like a place that has a giant fork on the wall?

So, the next time you find yourself in Ankeny, do yourself a favor and check out the wonderful little pizza place downtown - Leaning Tower of Pizza. It's an Iowa Foodie favorite and we're sure you'll love it, too!

Check out Leaning Tower's website here, and you can also like them on Facebook.